as in pushing
to force one's way
the sort of greedy person who is always the first to elbow to the front of the buffet table at every party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of elbowing
Crinon had just exited the penalty box after elbowing Nathan MacKinnon in the chin; Wilson target-locked on Crinon and hit him cleanly before things devolved.
—
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Georgia’s 15-point loss last month in Gainesville was nip and tuck until 6-foot-11, 260-pound sophomore Somoto Cyril’s ejection for elbowing the face of Florida center Rueben Chinyelu with the Gators leading 21-19.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
The Lakers’ Drew Timme sustained an injury to his right eye when Dosunmu was whistled for an offensive foul after elbowing him in the face early in the second quarter.
—Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Jones abused the boys on their bus rides for about six months, between September 2023 and March 2024, before authorities discovered surveillance video that showed the woman elbowing, stomping and punching the students.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The Athletic reported that footage appeared to show a Trearddur Bay player elbowing a Porthmadog FC player in the head during a break in play.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
But Mackay doesn’t envision El Gaucho elbowing its way into the city.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Protecting value, however, has expanded to those seeking to transfer in the coming weeks, elbowing more players to sit out.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
So, does this mean Goldman’s now going to be competing with the Sand Hill Road set, elbowing into more hot funding rounds?
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
Sean Gentille, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Georgia’s 15-point loss last month in Gainesville was nip and tuck until 6-foot-11, 260-pound sophomore Somoto Cyril’s ejection for elbowing the face of Florida center Rueben Chinyelu with the Gators leading 21-19.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
The Lakers’ Drew Timme sustained an injury to his right eye when Dosunmu was whistled for an offensive foul after elbowing him in the face early in the second quarter.
—Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Jones abused the boys on their bus rides for about six months, between September 2023 and March 2024, before authorities discovered surveillance video that showed the woman elbowing, stomping and punching the students.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026
The Athletic reported that footage appeared to show a Trearddur Bay player elbowing a Porthmadog FC player in the head during a break in play.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
But Mackay doesn’t envision El Gaucho elbowing its way into the city.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
Protecting value, however, has expanded to those seeking to transfer in the coming weeks, elbowing more players to sit out.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
So, does this mean Goldman’s now going to be competing with the Sand Hill Road set, elbowing into more hot funding rounds?
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elbowing
Verb
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European officials want urgent clarity on the matter, however, and French officials appeared to be pushing for the EU to consider using its Anti-Coercion Instrument, or ACI, as a retaliatory measure, if necessary.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
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Environmental advocates opposed relying on voluntary agreements as the plan’s primary pathway, instead pushing for firm, enforceable minimum flow standards, while water agencies continued to support the voluntary approach.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The fall was aided by the cooling prices of gasoline, eggs, and beef, but rising costs for consumer goods like apparel, computers, and airfares suggest tariffs are still squeezing household budgets.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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Instead, 2026 is about building both stylish and sensible outfits that can take you from the airport to the streets with maximum versatility without ever squeezing into tight, form-fitting fabric.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Elbowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elbowing. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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